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• November 20, 2009 12:29 p.m.

  Hello - we have introduced a site that will allow people with depression connect with others with similar conditions, medications, treatments and more. the site is FacetoFace Health (http://www.facetofacehealth.com) and is designed to help people connect and find support with others.

  - Nowell

• November 9, 2009 6:19 p.m.

  I think exercise is a huge factor in my recovering from depression. I have fought depression for 5 years and when I was diagnosed, I started running. I felt like the running worked better than any medication. You can read my complete story at www.runningnatalie.com.

  - Natalie

• October 28, 2009 4:23 p.m.

  Negative thoughts lead to negative health. I have found that regular exercise is the ONE MOST EFFECTIVE medicine to maintain health and a positive outlook. Start slowly but keep it up and you will soon find that you will begin to feel better and look forward to it. I am 80.5 and exercise every day for at least one hour. My exercise is a mixture of muscle building and aerobics ie. raise heart beat from normal 65/68 to 105/110 for 8 to 10 minutes on a treadmill or bicycle and then change to weightlifting for another 12/15 minutes. Don't forget to stretch before and after. I guarantee that if you keep it up your outlook on life will change and you will forward to every day as a new and uplifting experience. Go to it-......

  - Alan

• October 2, 2009 10:08 a.m.

  I'm linking your info to my blog. Thanks for the blog. It is great.

  - Elizabeth

• September 27, 2009 1:09 a.m.

  Just happened to read these comments.I am a big believer in exercise for depression and anxiety.Reg.Motivation-realise what exercise does.Normally our heart rate is about 70 to 80 per minute and we have approx.5 to 6 liters of blood circulating.When we exercise we are purposely increasing the rate of blood flow by increasing the heart rate.Know also that our lungs are working harder to oxygenise the blood- the end result is that we are circulating oxygen-rich blood through all the organs including the brain.So think of exercise as pumping more oxygen into our cells,all cells.This is the secret of the 'exercise high'.But it is truly healing.Start slow, do not surprise the muscles!Give them adequate warning, and keep at it. Put a star on the days you exercise on the calender- plan on doing something for at least every other day.The benefits of exercise are too many to count.It protects us against obesity,diabetes,high blood pressure and heart disease.Chances of dementia will be lowered.Hope these facts are motivating enough.If you still can not get started,consider trial of medications to get one out of the rut.Good mental health to all!

  - Baba

• September 16, 2009 11:26 a.m.

  Why exercise helps beats me. -- you lose a child, exercise helps? -- you are alone, it is christmas, exercise helps? -- you are old, friend and family gone, exercise helps? -- You see La Boheme, the music won't leave your mind, exercise helps? -- You miss everything, exercise helps?

  - Raghu

• September 13, 2009 12:01 p.m.

  I am so glad to see someone "prescribing" exercise as a treatment for depression. I have found that a simple 30 minute walk every day keeps the black dog at bay. All you need are shoes! No health club membership or fancy equipment is necessary. When the weather outside is too terrible, I walk at a mall or put one of Leslie Sansone's at home walking programs in my DVD player. This is a simple, non-addictive prescription with no side effects except happiness.

  - Linda

• September 9, 2009 4:05 a.m.

  Certainly exercise helps cure depression and insomnia

  - CHRIS

• September 6, 2009 1:26 p.m.

  I found exercise to be the key factor for me to deal with depression yet I fully understand the difficulty in getting started and maintaining exercise as a part of one's daily routine....for ever.... A couple of tidbits that I have found useful: 1. morning exercise may be easier to stick with; 2. afternoon and evening exercise may result in fewer injuries; 3. a cup of regular coffee about 45 minutes before a workout helps motivation, performance and muscle repair; if you can get through the first week or so of exercise, you'll start to feel the mental benefits. Stick with it another week and all of a sudden you see your body responding in ways you thought you never would. And once you focus on the physiology and recognize change in yourself, all of a sudden you're not thinking about being depressed all the time. A month later, a few pounds lighter, awake an hour earlier, and you realize it wasn't that hard.

  - dave

• August 18, 2009 2:14 p.m.

  When one's depression is situational, and the situation is beyond one's control, it becomes cyclical. Obviously, how one relates to or handles the situation is paramount, so has anyone suggestions?

  - Molly

• August 18, 2009 9:43 a.m.

  Good point eljay. I have been hospitized many times in at least 5 different hospitals. only one made any provision for exercise and that was walking in the halls. I know funds are limited, but it seems to me that exercise in some form is a priority.

  - ak

• August 14, 2009 10:00 a.m.

  I have lived with depression for many years now. I can see that exercise helps me, but it seems I have "cycles" where depression is deeper and when those hit, exercise is the last thing I want. Then I feel that just getting out of bed is a big success. Ideas for motivation would be great.

  - susan

• August 13, 2009 5:17 p.m.

  Walk w/a radio & earplugs, or just earplugs, to block raging noise on busy streets. A walk in the p.m. in a nice neighborhood, with slanting sunlight, and abundant, verdant trees/gardens can induce 'fusion' with nature. Bird songs are helpful. Returning to nature is critical to a sound mind. This has been known for centuries. Cities breed death and disease, either mentally or physically. This was realized by the original, budding societies, eg. Mesopotamia/Babylon. This age of filthy-autos, urbanity, and ubiquitous rage, spawn mass-depression and madness. The body copes with chaos, stress, and visual ugliness through an 'organically induced depression.' Society, en masse, has turned to relief via illicit drugs, prescription meds, or to the myriad vices peddled for profit by our spiritually bankrupt, materially-crazed society. Individual isolation is a glaring sympton of our "society." Walking & talking with someone is healthy. Sometimes solo-walking is better, as you can 'act-out' spontaneously, without disapproval. Self-expression is often denounced in groups [work, family,etc.] Without it, one acquires mental problems, eg. neurosis, paranoia, etc. It is a necessity, like breathing. Enough said.

  - brant

• August 13, 2009 4:47 a.m.

  I find it hard when I am depressed to get any exercise going. As soon as I am feeling better I can get going but does anyone have tips for how to motivate myself when I am not. I know it seems pathetic but it is a very real issue for me.

  - Deborah

• August 11, 2009 8:29 p.m.

  Having suffered from a spell of major depression at one time in my life, I did find exercise uplifted my spirits. However, getting to a place to exercise was a big challenge. Now having gone through depression I can recognize the symptoms of resurfacing spells and I know it's time to move. But motivating can be a challenge because when suffering from depression, the last thing I wanted to do was be around people. If i have days like this, i now use an online workout from http://www.youcanmakeitfit.com. I get a guided workout that helps me escape my own thoughts all in the comfort of my own home.

  - Kaye

• August 6, 2009 10:05 a.m.

  Whenever exercise has been an option, it has helped decrease depression. Longing to start is a problem. Once started it is easier to see an end to depression might be in sight. Keep exercising....it really does help.

  - jumpforjoy

• August 4, 2009 11:19 p.m.

  I have suffered for depression most of my life and have found that exercize helps. However, I now have a serious problem: I am 87 years old, and my ability to exercise vigorously is minimal. I have not seen any helpful article addressing the exercise needs and abilities of the "old old". Painful joints and continuous loss of muscle accompanying aging are the inibitors. I would appreciate some helpful comment for us old people.

  - Paul

• August 4, 2009 7:25 p.m.

  being bipolar one has to remember the depression is not forever.alcohol & street drugs can lead to greater depression.important to get rdavitamins/minerals,exercise and eating protein makes dopamine in the brain.If heart is ok a cup of coffee ok.try to keep ones mind busy always.all that works for me & Rx medicine.

  - lori

• August 4, 2009 5:46 p.m.

  I also think exercise is wonderful in helping depression and having a goal in that exercise helps too. A goal such as an upcoming 5K or a fun walk helps. Also, I think working out with someone helps, too -it gives you a commitment to work for. I do wonder if the TIME of day matters. Would morning be better than afternoon or evening.

  - Cathy

• August 2, 2009 8:19 a.m.

  I can testify to the effectiveness of this Rx. When I was depressed I made exercise a priority--and made it manageable by only planning on 10 minutes a day. But I found that it made me feel so great, I often went above my 10 minute goal.

  - bekahcubed